The Sleeve Logo

Although fans, students, and alumni normally identify The Shirt with its front and back designs, a sleeve logo has also appeared on the side of every shirt since 1990. The sleeve logo debuted as a simple sponsorship logo; however, in recent years, it has come to epitomize the theme of The Shirt.

In the early years of The Shirt Project, the sleeve logo comprised a Monogram “ND” and the words “Alumni Association” arching over it. This logo signified the ongoing partnership of the Alumni Association with The Shirt Project and the Notre Dame student body. As The Shirt Project evolved, so did the sleeve logo. In 1995, the words “Sponsored by the Students and Alumni of Notre Dame” were added to the logo to signify the unity of the entire Notre Dame community—alumni and students alike. This phrase has appeared on every sleeve logo since 1995, including this year.

As the responsibilities of The Shirt Committee expanded and more members were added, The Shirt Committee had more time to devote to incorporating the sleeve logo into the overall theme of The Shirt. Instead of serving as a simple mark of sponsorship, the sleeve logo began to serve as a specific identifier of each shirt’s theme. In 2007, the Monogram “ND” was also removed from the sleeve logo.

The sleeve logo for The Shirt 2009 again expands the significance of the logo by using the logo to celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of The Shirt Project. This year’s logo features the same bold, blocked-letter font that is used with the powerful defensive image on the back of The Shirt 2009. The design also features a twentieth anniversary symbol to celebrate twenty years of success for The Shirt Project. The logo even features the traditional “Sponsored by the Students and Alumni of Notre Dame” phrase in navy blue lettering. Keeping with the overall theme of The Shirt 2009, the sleeve logo is a simple yet powerful image that recalls the history of The Shirt Project as well as the motivation to Defend Our Honor.